Glass House

A fragile world hangs in the balance; who will throw the first stone?

Session #6

Left sitting on the mountain side with instructions in hand Marek, Jeral, Drale and Wyrien watched as the remaining Black Company traveled out of sight leaving them alone. Facing the choices ahead of them the four quickly took to blaming Wyrien for causing their service to the southerners. Marek particularly resisted the idea of working for their enemy and orally abolished any promises he had made to their captors. However, the others felt the pressure of their oaths and decided that they would at least travel to the Belgic camp and try and find this Lobo before making their final decision.

Low on supplies and nothing but a hand drawn map the group traveled towards the destroyed village while making an attempt to procure any food stocks they could from the rocky terrain around them. Just as everyone came in view of the village they were met with an unexpected sight. A field of graves were being tended too by a smattering of people. Mainly women servicing the dead as they approached. Each woman was garbed in red and whites, and embroidered across a few of their clothes laid the image of a White Lotus. Scattered along the site were small metal balls filled with flame illuminated the hillside. As if looming over the graves the cast shadows over the last few diggers finishing what seemed to be the final holes of the day.The group pushed forward to meet the people and came in contact with Anna Krey, a member of the “ Temple of Rebirth”. Invited to stay and share what food was offered the men traveled into the city and to a longhouse that was servicing the group of missionaries. It was under the strict rule of a Madam they sought shelter and food for the day. At the meal time the group was questioned about their intent to travel in the area and soon described themselves as “mercenaries” that worked under the name “*The Jackrabbits*”. However, once Anna was informed that they were commissioned by the Black Company it cut her conversation short leaving the group with more unanswered questions.

In the morning the missionaries prepared to travel south while the others started north in search of the free people’s encampment. After a few days of travel and a failed attempt at claiming renown for the Jackrabbit Warband, the four came upon a bustling city stuck between a river and a towering pillar of stone.

The city was seemingly new, consisting of only tents and yurts and no real constructed buildings to be seen. As the Jackrabbits made their way into the city it became rather apparent that this was no army. Children played in the streets, lendermen hawked, and families engaged in what seemed to be festivities. And soon there after they came to know that this was in fact a Northern Festival of Water. Lost among the makeshift streets it came to Wyrien to call challenge their goals going forward. After a heated debate over what to do next and who was to take the leader the group came to a standstill only to be broken by Drale’s reasoning. And with that they went out in search of any leads on this “Lobo” character.

Drale seeing an opportunity to make a name for his craft stayed behind and started to finish a project he’d been working on, while the others ventured into the crowds. Jeral, recalling an old acquaintance of his, set off to find “*Blue Nose*”. During the search however, in a makeshift drinking arena, Marek found himself confronted by the vicontii that they had met cliffside at the chasm. With a boisterous roar the man heckled the group for being taken prisoner. Marek, without much thought, snapped back at the giant with a quip. And before Marek knew what had happened the vicontii had slammed his fist into his newly broken nose. With a roar of laughter blood gushed down across the freebooter’s face as he stumbled away behind his compatriots. Jeral however, decided to force the issue getting into a small scuffle with the giant with not clear victor at the end. The three of them left the vicontii and his friends in order to help Marek stop the bleeding. And as they were leaving the rabble Tally entered the area but never noticed Jeral or the situation.

Taking Marek to the water to get cleaned up revealed the severity of the wound. His nose was broken yes, but the blow had maybe also caused some internal damages as well. Marek took it upon himself to doctor the wound and after an hour or so of trying to reset it was released into unconsciousness as his attempt seemed to worsen the state. It was there after which Jerral set out into the wilderness to find proper medicine roots help with Mareks recovery.

Meanwhile Drale, finished with his bow, decided that he would attempt to find any more information about their mark with the help of Wyrien. And, too their surprise, before the day was out they had arranged a meeting with the man through a few well placed merchant connections. They had set up a meeting under the guise of having valuable goods they wished to sell to him. That eve Marek woke again his nose and head throbbing from the care he self administered. After being persuaded to help them meet Lobo they first had to get the man care for his nose. Wyrien suggested a man he once heard of that would likely be at the festival. His name was Galger, a rejected magician with a habit of stitching dead body parts together in an attempt to bring them back to life. In the morning the three of them went in search of the man under the pressure of a deadline for the meeting. It wasn’t too hard to find the small slightly misshapen man bathing in the hot springs on the eastern banks. With the promise of payment Galger agreed to service Marek’s injuries and it wasn’t long till he’s come through and set his nose back into place.

With that the three set out to the meeting yurt ready to me the mysterious Lobo. Once they arrived and entered the meeting place they were met with a man tall, black long hair with a large one sided blade. Dressed in fine cloths and southern leather armours the party of perplexed, it was not what they were expecting. After sitting and conversing with the man they soon found themselves caught in a web of lies. While handing the man the sword that was the item of trade, Marek was soon held at sword point while Drale and Wyrien readied themselves to the task. A tension in the air, a sword at Marek’s throat and an arrow knocked towards the man the rooms silence was broken by the man’s goads towards Drale. Whether it was shear preservation or succumbing to the goad Drale let loose his arrow. Within seconds the man moved to action avoiding the arrow while crashing his sword agains Marek’s flesh opening a great wound. Wyrien meanwhile started his incantations to pull aware the sword but it dispersed its’ energies lost to the world. The man flew into the other two cutting down Wyrien and defending from Drale as he’d drawn a sword.

All seemed too much for them but just before the final blow from the man were struck time stopped. The people in the room were frozen, all except Drale. And from a light in the darkness his gaze was turned to Grace. A displaced and almost surreal vision to the boy Drale ran towards her. Before he could embrace her, Grace forced Drale to the group with nothing but a— command. The two talked and Grace called into question the intent of the boy she once knew. Inciting him to grow up and be a man of character she gave him a parting gift, protection. With a touch she crumbled Lobo into dust saving him and his friends, at least for now. Kneeling over the bloodied body of Marek, Drale was left alone again as Graces’ energy left the yurt. And from outside a crash and screams could be heard as Drale was brought back into time confronted with his wounded ally.

With quick thinking the two of them took Marek back to Galgar but once exiting the yurt were engulfed by a sandstorm that hid their escape. Upon arriving at the surgeons’ tent they were met with a rather rattled man who seemed attuned to the events that had just happened. He agreed to help Marek again under the condition that they would smuggle him out of the city before anyone came looking for him. His words made it sound like this was all because of him or that someone would blame him for whatever had happened. They agree to help Galgar but first they needed their friend to defeat the call of death.

Session #4/5

Over their time of practice and personal investments the group of men were met with a Tagani girl Esmir. She, also bearing the mark of Moetre, was looking to join the search for the past. After filling in every one of the situation they set off in pursuit of the Black Company and their devilish intentions. With Jerals’ tracking skills the group followed the hard set footprints north-west untill they came across a village. The village had been sacked. It’s houses burning, stores raided and people killed the village sat motionless other than the last flickering flames. Unsure if it was a trap the five cautiously approached the inners of the small village where Wyrien,Drale, and a begrudging Jeral searched for survivors. Meanwhile Marek took the time to pillage what goods may have survived the destructions. Neither of these searches proved fruitful and they set out again following the tracks of a variety traveling west.

It wasn’t long before they came to a break in the trail. A set of armed heavy set tracks lead north while another traveled west. With a small discussion Jeral lead them to the northern path to follow what he’s thought to be the Black Company. After traveling some distance an opening in the rocks revealed a flattened area surrounding a unique looking stone with a bloody palm print on one side. With his curiosity getting the best of him Wyrien set out to inspect the stone and what secrets it may hold as it looked to be of ancient make. His inspection however left him without answers besides its’ possible heritage to the ruins of Moetre. While focused on the situation the group were ambushed by free peoples’ raider who attacked at the sight of their southern clothing. After a brief clash the three clansmen were routed, one captured and another dead. With a moment to inspect the area Jeral thought it best to backtrack to the other paths while waiting for their prisoner to wake.

After a night of camp the man who attacked them arose only to be met with interrogation of what he was doing. However the man’s resolve kept him silent he was forced to fight for his right to survive. Jeral took him to single combat and within the first volley of blows the man was killed leaving the party without answers.

Following the second set of tracks the group found themselves faced with an encampment of Black Company soldiers who seemed to have sieged a large chasm. A mismatched assortment of wooden barricades had been set at the moth of the chasm and the men of the Black Company were in the process of building a portable ram to break their way in. With little options and a distain for the soldiers’ intentions the group set out the sabotage the siege engine. Marek, Wyrien, and Esmir set to the camp during nightfall. As they planned Wyrien was able to ignite the engine while Esmir released their horse line during the commotion. Unfortunately, while keeping watch Marek was forced to kill a patrolling soldier drawing attention to their presence and after a chaotic chase the tree of them escape to the safety of the mountain cliffs.

Reunited the five of them rejoiced in their success and started to address what they were to do next. But their thoughts were quickly set aside as a small ground of free people emerged to take them prisoner. Lead by a girl named Tally and her Vicontii 2nd, the group was given a choice, fight them or follow them as prisoners. Jeral and Marek took to opposing this unnecessary capture only to be persuaded to lower their guard and conceded to Tally and her force. Everyone was lead through a tiny squeeze of a path that brought them beyond the barricade into the Belgic camps. Upon entering the caves the smell of disease and rot washed over the group. A make shift infirmary had been established for the clansmen who didnt make it to safety in whole. Quickly the encamped soldiers came to arms removing the partys’ weapons and treating them more like prisoners than guests.

Unknowing of their fate the five start to question their captors only to be revealed that their leader was non other than Norgen “The Bloody” Hass, another marked of Moetre. After pleading their case and being somewhat caught between Tally and Norgens’ argument everyone was given their weapons and their freedom. After sharing their stories of the North and the arrival of Charwy they were met with only scepticism and regret from the aged warrior. His fighting spirit had changed since everyone had last seen him. Resigning himself to the battle ahead the party felt the pain of the past echo through the chasm. After a quick meal everyone in the encampment gave way to sleep but that wouldn’t last long…

Before even dreams could set in, the roar of fire clattering of arms woke the party. They were confronted by the militiamen charging past towards the barricades that were now fuming blackened smoke. Without hesitation Jeral, Wyrien and Marek reached for their weapons and started off towards the brewing combat. However, their steel wained when remembering the resignation in The Bloody’s voice. And with that, Marek and Jeral abandoned the Belgic warriors in hopes of gaining a more favourable position via the rear exit of the caves. Wyrien however, felt bound to the Moetre mark and entered the fray to support Norgen and his warriors. Drale and Esmir set out to follow Jeral while Marek was forced to retrieve his buried goods.

Once engaged in the battle Wyrien took a commanding lead at the front. Each face of the sloped chasm had burning wood fortifications that collapsed as he approached letting through the first waves of Black Company men at arms. With a fury the Belgics assaulted the front lines of the invaders which saw both sides taking casualties. But one thing was certain, the Black Company hand breached the defence of the barricades.

After looping around Drale, Esmir and Jeral started to take position against the rear of the assaulters, looking for a commander of such to show himself. Marek however devised a plan to portray himself as injured so that he could go unnoticed through the front lines. After searching the infirmary for a already deceased assistant he was forced to quietly kill a young injured clanswoman in order to stain his clothes to sell his fiction.

With small efforts to attack priority targets Drale and Jeral were no more than nuisances to the forces of the Black Company who pressed the issue of the battle wearing down their enemies. Marek too the deadlock as an opportunity to escape the fray without injury.

Once the timing was right the reserved horsemen powered their way through the battle line and shattered the Belgic defences. In turn killing Norgen Hass and capturing a handful of rebels as well as Wyrien.

After a brief retreat Marek and Jeral took to the forest with a wounded member of the Black Company who would soon perish even against the best efforts of Jeral’s herbal treatments. Thereafter, Drale caught glimpses of a small band of Belgics who escaped via the tunnels and he sent Esmir to confront them for help while he reunited with his comrades in the Forrest. In hopes of finding out Wyriens fate the three of them undercover of smoke took to the cliffs only to be faced with the hard truth of how one sided the casualties of the battle had been. After discussion and no return of Esmir, Jeral purposed the tracking of the surviving Belgics. However, when faced with the prospect of night the fear of a people known as Thistle Men kept the group camped against the cold mountain side awaiting morning’s safety.

Wyrien was met with a special privilege among the captured after revealing his heritage. He was given food, drink and even warm blankets after being promised a safe release once back to “civilized” lands. And, in the morning the soldier set out back towards Golden Home keeping a wary eye for any ambushes.

In order to cover more ground the team of three split up with Jeral and Drale setting off in pursuit of the Belgic allies while Marek was tasked with tracking and signing the path of the remaining Black Company. Unfortunately he was distracted during the plan and forgot what his task was soon losing sight of the soldiers and getting turned around in the forest. But, Jeral was tracking well with good time until it started to rain which hid what remaining tracks could have led them onward.

After returning to the valley the three, low on food and supplies, decided it would be best to return to civilization and regroup. And with that they set off back towards the raided villages to the east. Soon they stumbled upon the rather paled and unconscious body of Wyrien. Rushing to his aid they all were caught off guard as an ambush had been set. At bow point the team was revealed of their weapons and taken to a makeshift holding cell in a rather hastily formed camp of the Black Company.

Wyrien was taken separate from the rest of his friend and given more privileges as well. Taken to a tent and confronted by the same man who had fed and clothed him Wyrien was faced with an offer the soldier proposed to him. Himself and his group of mercenaries would be enlisted to do kidnap a important person of note and return them safely to Golden Home or they could face the judgment of Laminious Krass’s law. Knowing the stern justice of the southern general Wyrein agreed to work for the soldier. His only obstacle now was to convince the others.

After a brief convincing the three others committed themselves to the task with the understanding that if they failed to return with their mark that they would all be branded as Outlaws losing all human rights within southern boarders. Wyrien was given additional charge and responsibility of the task being given the instructions they were to follow.

With tensions high the four of them were released in the morning with their weapons and supplies returned to them. With a long breath of relief Wyrien revealed to them their instructions. The group had been charged with the capture of a person named “Lobo”. Who is said to be arriving in a free peoples’ settlement on the boarders to the north. A small map accompanied the papers and a name, Denomous Corlene.

Session #2/3

It has been many years since the events of Moetre and its’ people. The marked survivors were given a new world and left to make themselves new lives. The four boys of the past gave found new purposes to live by once reconciling their situation.

The bastard Wyrien Royce took to reclaiming his position in the South only to be met with unfamiliar people who would not recognize his claim. After which he met Alden, another marked of Moetre. Alden and the bastard formed a pact to discover the true meaning of the past and formed a small group of dedicated researchers set on knowledges of the world. This would take them through the mundane and into the dark.

Jeral the hunter fell to his instincts and traveled north to find a place among the Belgics and Vicontii. However, even there his feelings of misplacement took hold and he spent most of his time in the forrest by himself learning the skills of survival. Living among the brutal free people forced the man to harden himself and make good with weapons in case of trouble.

Drale, the innocent runner boy, spent much time in search of his lost family. But, he was never able to find any evidence of Grace, Leopal, or Lyda. Instead he was forced to find work and soon was taken in by another master, Boris Baldos. Boris and his homestead were master bowyers with southern influence. Drale was permitted to attended to the tools of the trade and soon became a bowyer himself.

Marek took to the new world with fervour making a merchants living on the backs of trappers and furriers. Importing good northern furs and processing them for southern consumption saw Marek making a good life for himself. And in that time he took a wife and had a son. However, the call of the past hung over the man and he soon took to the road, leaving the business to his wife. A freebooter he became, taking him across the land from job to job, trick to trick.
After many years these men were brought back together in Golden Home as they were all unsettled by dreams of the past. Marek took it upon himself to track down his boyhood comrades and talk to them about investigating the cause of these dreams. After reuniting over drinks and food they decided to set off to the city of , what was, Moetre. After arriving in the valley the group joined an encamped group of soldiers wearing black tabards with a white bear sigil who called themselves “The Black Company”. These soldiers advised the clansmen to go about their business elsewhere however, after investigating too deep into the affairs of the soldiers the group was held prisoner for espionage. It was Wyrien’s claim to nobility that saved them from punishment giving them the right to leave with a warning not to return.

That night Marek decided that he would further investigate an excavation the soldiers were overseeing. Crawling through the gap in the opened stones Marek entered an old ruin of unknown build. Once he entered the main chamber an energy took over and after a rush of pain Marek found himself face to face with an unconscious Charwy. Unfortunately the noise had brought the commander of the black company to the ruins as well who was set of taking the woman for their means. After a quick scuffle Marek was subdued and when he awoke to his friends’ calls Charwy and the Black Company had moved on. After quickly explaining the events of the night the group set out to catch the band of soldiers. After two days of tracking and navigating the mountain pass the men were faced with despair as, through a clearing, they saw the Black Company forces a good day ahead of them and out of their reach. They were certain that they would get to Golden Home and their rescue mission would become substantially harder.
Once the four men got to Golden Home, Drale decided he was ill prepared for their current path and left to retrieve better suited supplies from his home. But, the others remained invested in gathering information to save the damsel and started to search their contacts. Jeral and Marek set off south to discern whether these “Black Company” soldiers had continued on past Golden Home with possession of a prisoner. Thisled them to a trapper name Billly, a on and off employee of Marek, who may have seen such movements through his territory. After a misunderstanding of moneys owed the two managed to uncover that the men they were looking for did not travel the roads south, at least not with a prisoner in the past few days. A weight lifted from their shoulders the two men spent a day sharing with the man and then returned to Golden Home.

Meanwhile Wyrien connected with the elder master Alden to confer with him about the recent events. And after some discussion he was given the contact information to a more misunderstood group of believers known as Urddo Order. Wyrien searched for a high standing member of the organization and he found one. Unfortunately the man, Chancellor Harrid, did not take kindly on being followed. Wyrien was forced to convince the man of his innocence and escaped with some knowledge but, in the debt of the mysterious man.

Once the team reconvened in Golden Home, Jeral extended his search to a southern lord by the name of Krassius. Krassius was an apologetic noble that had been known to him as a supporter of the free people. And once tracking down the man Wyrien and Jeral went to gain favour only to be caught in the middle of the man’s arrest for what is being called “treason towards the crown”. Jeral and Wyrien escaped without suspicion however, it’s hard not to think that their search for the man had maybe tipped the law enforcement to his allegiances.
After much debate and struggle the four men decided that they were at a disadvantage and should take time to investigate/prepare for their next chance at recovering the captured girl. As they had learned she may be being kept in the governor’s fortified estates they deemed it ill advised to try and enter by force or stealth. So over the next month they honed their skills and waited for the next movements of the Black Company.

After hearing of merchant requests tied to the Black Company ,the group found themselves setting out in pursuit of a number of the order that had left late one night. With the soldiers tracks leading towards the north-eastern boarders the four started their journey again, this time with a grudge to settle and a damsel to rescue.

Prologue

The world of the Clans Moetre has changed forever. Its’ clans come together to find peace to after the doomsayers had predicted a great coming of the darkness. The festival took the city of Golden Home by storm. Games, food, and lendermen stalls covered the city as people from all over the land filled the streets in celebration. With trumpet sounds echoing across the valley the begging to the parade had started. Meanwhile a group of young men had come together in search of something else, the company of beautiful women.

Marek, a “Dream Powder” merchant drew the group towards the beautiful women of the Morini. With a cask of wine to provoke the interest of the ladies they bravely headed into the battle of lust. However, they first had to get into the noble section of the event. As it had happened the younger of the group were familiar with the region, Drale being a runner for the high born of the town snuck the four boys past the guards and into the party. While building the nerve to approach the gaggle of girls Drale was caught unaware by the daughter of Leopal, his caretaker’s patron, Grace. Her insistence that Drael join her family for the event caused a ruckus among the group drawing more unwanted attention after the bastard Wyrien Royce tried to intervene. Trying to turn the social momentum onto his side Marek used the scene to slip into a conversation with a gaggle the Morini women only to have them flee his advances.

After being left awkwardly in the crowd the group decided to set their efforts on watching the procession of clans as they paraded through the street. They were astounded with wonders of the Royces’ wooden beast being led by Vergo Al-Royce. Then the great beauty and grander of the Morini and their priesthood being led by Eillowwy the Everwise. Contrasted only by the colourful and chaotic Tagani and their exotic music. Evreux river folk caused the crowds to fan the air as the hairy earthen people passed by. The Belgics were next causing some women to swoon at the sight of their grimness as well as the scars upon the face of Norgen Hass. And finally, with a wide gap between the clans came the Grey Thunders. Their size and dress caused a murmur of fear rush across the people as they most of their member wore masks that hid their faces all except Asger Vergobret their king.

Once the parade had brought the clans together, in front a stone table that had been set out, Eilowwy began to inaugurated the event formally bringing the people together under the watchful eye of Moetre. Meanwhile Marek had found himself searching yet another woman’s comfort only to clumsily crash into Charwy, a young Morini girl, who left him with invitation to her family feast that night.

During the final moments of the presentations the young men returned to each other to watch. However, what was to be peace erupted into a deafening blast from the outer wall of Golden home followed by the screams of peasants. The boys tried to find themselves in the chaos seeing huge figure on beasts crash through the walls and into the city killing and charging through the streets. With panic in their minds the group moved towards the safest building they had though, the Jaruks’ longhouse but not before Wyrien saw Clawwyn Koplepot sneaking himself away through a house’s side door. Drale lead them to a side entrance that opened into the fortified house but, values got the best of the group. They couldn’t just leave the people, they had to help whoever they could as fast as they could. Marek, Wyrien, and Jerall went back to where the ceremony had taking place as Drale darted into the streets with hopes of finding his adoptive family.

Once returning to the ceremony stage the three boys were faced with the reality that this was a struggle between life or death as they saw the approaching forces killing everything in its path. Taken aback for a moment they watch as a small group of Belgic and Royce soldiers tried to hold the line against impossible odds defending the great Eilowwy who seemed stricken with fear, her daughter pleading for her to abandon this place. After composing themselves they joined the fray. Wyrien headed towards the front lines axe in hand while, Marek and Jerall took to the women trying to get them to safety. With force the two women were escorted out of the conflict and back into safety. However, Wyriens’ battle turned sour quick as he was knocked to the ground and almost killed by one of the great beasts before his estranged father came in to save his life but in doing so paid the great cost. Vero Al-Royce was killed along with many of his men who were quickly routed. Wyrien managed to stay himself and escape into an obscured alley left alone to confront his actions.
Drale on the other hand had found himself, unnoticed through the streets, in his manor of his upbringing. Cold and quiet the manor seemed abandoned. In a frantic effort for clues Drale found a trail of missing items and unforgotten supplies that led him back into the streets. And before he set out took the families commemorative axe from off the wall for protection. And it wasn’t long after that he came across an encampment of these devilish beings forcing his fellow clansmen into chains and makeshift wooden cages. Through the crowd a figure stood out, tall with peppered hair. This man walked among the beasts with a crown upon his head. As the man walked the line of slaves, inspecting the crop that was being tended too, Drale saw Leopal and his family. They were caged and battered looking but still held to each other tightly. Not knowing what too do Drale caught himself drawing the attention of Leopal, who’s eldest daughter was not among them, and attempted to communicate to no avail. Drale forced himself to trudge forward in hopes of finding Grace and as luck would have it he did. Grace was being pulled, by one of these metal covered beasts, out of a house and towards another slave encampment. And before Drale knew what he was doing he had taken the axe and smashed it into the side of the soldier. With that, the soldier turned to face his attacker and, to his surprise, was met with the untrained boy before him. As he let go of Grace the soldier lunged out and struck Drale across the face. Laughing he struck out again but, this time was offset as the young girl pushed the man from behind. Drale took the opportunity to draw the mans’ sword from its’ sheath and bash him to the ground with its pommel. And with that, they fled the scene towards the woods to the north only to encounter Marek at the edge of tow. Mareks group had grown, giving sanctuary to all the clansmen that they met, shepherding them to safety. However, Jarrell had left the group in search of Wyrien.

Backtracking and staying out of sight Jerall managed to track down the shocked Wyrien. Pulling of the man Jerall begged Wyrien to come and save himself. It was with this that snapped the bastard from his stupor and refused to leave without understand more of why this had happened. After a hushed argument the two came to an accord that they would flee the city for now however, Jerall would help discover the true nature of these events another time. The two of them then set out across the city, out the broken palisade and towards the woods.

By this time, Marek and his band of wounded or lost clansmen had set camp on the edge of the northern forrest. It was here where everyone was met again. A small force of refugees that had managed to escape with their lives and just enough supplies to keep them fed for the days ahead. Jerall took to the lead offering his home as shelter for the people however, Eilowwy persuaded the people that Moetre, the city of the faithful, was the only place that would be safe for the people. And so, Jerall set out (being the only one with wilderness experience) in orienteering his way through the rocky terrain up the valley towards the home of the great tree. This travel, even as tough as it may be, turned to be in their favour as they pushed quickly across the way even seeing other forces behind them that may have other captured them.

Upon arriving at Moetre City, the group was faced with a much larger encampment of refugees that had apparently fled Golden Home and sought safety here in the valley. Rested at the edge of the walled city-center the people were under the watchful eye of the Mother Tree -a large Oak that winded its’ roots down and through a cliff that had all but fallen into the lake below. Norgen Hass was among these clansmen, leading people towards taking up arms and building defences around the city. While others had been scheming to enter the sacred city who’s gates had remained closed to the people in this time of seasons. It was a sacred time for the Morini, a harvest time known as The Obana.

After getting the people settled the group fanned out to get more information as to what was going to happen. Marek started to fall back to his roots overing those in need some “healing” powder to help settle their nerves. That left Drale with the unfortunate task of telling Grace that her family had been taken by the darkness. Being quite fond of Grace, Drale felt that it had become his responsibility to take care of her and be her guardian until they could find a way to free her father. The axe of Golden Home held firmly between them stood as a silent promise towards the future. In an effort to help the needy, Jerall set into the wilderness alone in search of game. Jerall came back late that evening hauling a large elk into the encampment. Propping it onto a spit in the center of the camp he supplied the people with a well met feast to some extent. However, that brief enjoyment soon fell out of though when part way through the night the city of Moetre was stunned as the hills filled with the light of flame. An army had set camp on the valley edge awaiting for their chance to attack.

The people turned towards the leaders of the clans for answer and found strength in Norgen Hass. Him and his men were motivating the people to take up arms and defend themselves. With not much time the boys, men, girls and ladies were forced to become warriors. They set barricades and trenches with what little time they could and prepared for the storm. Among those falling under the Pale Paws’ banner Jerall was met with open arms as he enlisted to fight along side the people serving as an example to others in the clans.

On the other hand, Drale and Grace had set out to find somewhere safe to escape to. While attempting to recruit Marek, Grace had to use her skills of debate (Arguing) in order for Marek to compromise for their cause. Once Marek accepted to help them get past the walls of Moetre the three of them headed out to retrieve Jerall and Wyrien. With minor convincing all of them set out to sneak over the walls and into the city. Without a lot of effort the youngsters make their way over the walls and hide away among the buildings, all except Jerall-who remains outside- and Wyrien who is caught by the Morini guards and taken to a small holding room. In the chaos of hiding away Grace, Drale, and Marek are separated.

Marek hides himself away in an animal pen hoping to weather the oncoming of the armies and survive the events. While Drale searches for Grace he watched some of the priesthood prepare a ritual at the base of the tree. But before he could comprehend what was happening they were interrupted by a party of Grey Thunders breaking their way through the wooden gates. Their surprise and viciousness catches the local guards off balance and the Thunders start killing their way towards the Mother Tree. Desperation in their eyes the battle raged.

Meanwhile Jerall had joined the front lines of Norgen Hass’ militia. Faced with the overwhelming odds of the dark forces on the hill. With fear washing over the people shields and spears clattered with nervous energies. As the dawn breached the mountaintops the heavy footed invaders marched to the beat of drum downwards towards Moetre. Soon the clans defences were broken and the onslaught began. Even out numbered the people stood strong but that could only last so long. Jerall stayed in the rear making good use of his bow.

Out of the corner of his eye Drale caught a glimpse of Grace. She was slowly approaching the Mother Tree arm reaching out to touch its’ bark. Before Drale was able to do anything the ritual surrounding the great tree erupted into light as Eilowwy completed its’ final rights. With a last glimpse of Grace the light overtook the land engulfing the people.

The group awoke some time later in a large wrapped tent next to a collection of other injured or unconscious clansmen. With not idea what had happened Drale searched for Grace or any signs of Leopal. Unfortunately they were no where to be found. The encampment of clansmen were nested between the mountains and a glacier. It was being supplied by a group of individuals that were only really referred to as The Council. The members of this “Council” only appeared in the camp without notice and mainly to supply the people with food and some tools. The people were unable to leave the camp until the snows had melted opening passes to the outer world and that would take a month or so of recuperation. One of the many inexplicable things was that every member of the camp had developed some change on their body that resembled a birth mark. Usually taking a shape of something that held some meaning to the person.

Day in and day out the people waited for the passes to clear so that they could return home. And as the days passes the Council members came with less frequency until they stopped coming all together. As the days grew nearer to leaving small groups formed. People from the Pale Paws lead by non other than Norgen Hass was determined to return to their home. A mixed band was to travel south into the river lands and past that. And the few member of Golden Home were to brave returning home in hopes that it was saved as they were. However, once they left the pass and returned to Moetre City the parties were amazed to find no evidence of a city ever being there, including no sign of the Great Tree. The inexplicable change to the world was only worsened when the boys reached Golden Home to find it under foreign rule how it had been for a hundred years, at least according to the locals.

With a new world ahead of them and a broken past Marek, Jerall, Wyrien and Drale were faced with the hard truth, they would have to become men to survive…

Moetre

The world breaks, its’ lands filled with fire and brimstone enters the end of days. The rivers replaced with red hot molten earth running into oceans that boil over and disappear. A darkness chews through the, once brilliant, skies suffocating the clouds. Flowers burn, rocks melt, and trees ignite all save one. Moetre, the mother tree, her roots and bark so strong that it resists the flame and holds the earth tight until every ember loses is flicker. It is she that subsided the darkness and gives life to the world. First small and seemingly insignificant but, all with purpose. The earth held firmly in the roots of Moetre are on which we live. And from that soil, bound to her roots, life was delivered to the surface again. All that is, all that was, and all that will ever be is because of the grace and strength of the Moetre. We are all her children, every living thing, and it has been our duty to care for our Mother ever since we have had the strength.
- The Clans of Moetre